Butterflies of
the Indian
subcontinent
Common Grass
Yellow
Eurema hecabe
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily -
COLIADINAE
Tribe -
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Eurema
hecabe,
Mumbai, India
© Anand Narkevar |
Introduction
The Grass
Yellows are all fairly small butterflies, readily recognised by
their bright yellow wings and their habit of gathering in small
groups on patches of damp sand or soil. Despite their name, none
of their caterpillars feed on grasses - the name is derived from
the fact that most species are found in disturbed grassy
habitats.
Grass Yellows are among
the most familiar of tropical butterflies, with a total of 70
known species worldwide, of which 36 are found in the Neotropical region,
13 in North America ( including Mexico ), 10 in Africa, 25 in
the Oriental region and 10 in Australia / Papua New Guinea. Many
of the species are migratory in
behaviour, with the ranges of several such as
hecabe overlapping into in 2 or more of the zoogeographical regions.
Eurema hecabe is found across the
entire African continent, throughout most of Asia south of the
Himalayas, on most of the islands of the south Pacific, and
across much of Australia.
Habitats
This species is found in secondary or disturbed habitats
including forest clearings, along roadsides and riverbanks, and
in parks and gardens at elevations between sea level and about
1500 metres.
Lifecycle
The eggs of
Eurema species are always
spindle-shaped, and pale yellow or straw coloured when first
laid, changing to a darker shade before hatching. They are laid
singly on the upperside of leaves of the foodplants.
The foodplants
of hecabe vary according to the
region and habitat. They include Caesalpinia
and
Cassia, ( Caesalpiniaceae ),
Pithecellobium ( Mimosaceae ) and
Wagatea ( Fabaceae ).
The
caterpillars when
first hatched are green, cylindrical, and covered in
tiny tubercules from each of which arises a single long stiff
hair. In later instars the hairs ( setae ) become progressively
shorter. The fully grown larva is dull green with a thin dark dorsal
stripe, and a broader cream lateral stripe below the spiracles.
Each segment of the body is ribbed vertically, and covered in
small tubercules, giving it a rough textured appearance.
The pale green chrysalis
is slim, sharply pointed at head and tail, and with
prominent wing cases.
Adult behaviour
Males
congregate to imbibe mineralised moisture
from damp sandbanks, often in scores.
Females are
more discreet in behaviour, normally being seen singly when
nectaring. They will visit many different flowers including
Lantana and various Asteraceae.
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